Portable trailer

ABSTRACT

A transport vehicle includes a bed formed in the rear end thereof. A base is seated on the bed and supports a load-bearing platform opposing the bed forming a storage space therebetween and an opening therebetween into the storage space at the rear end of the vehicle. A wheeled trailer is also provided, which is positionable in the storage space, is removable from the storage space, and has a hitched drawbar engagable to a tow bat secured to the rear of the vehicle.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/234,491, filed 23 Sep. 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to trailers and, more particular, toportable trailers for use with vehicles and that are movable betweenstored and deployed positions relative to the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Transport trailers are well known and may be found in a vast array ofconfigurations, sizes, and towing capacities. Conventional trailers arehighly useful and provide an easy and efficient way to haul all types ofcargo. However, most trailers are bulky and not easily stored duringperiods of nonuse. During periods of nonuse, trailers are often storedin rented or leased storage facilities, garages, or simply left outside,such as alongside a garage, shed, barn, or the like.

In an effort to make trailers easier to use and easier to store duringperiods of nonuse, skilled artisans have spent considerable effort andresources developing trailers that are actually configured to beincorporated with a vehicle, such that they may be stored relative tothe vehicle during periods of nonuse and deployed relative to thevehicle for towing there behind. However, it has been noticed that knownforms of deployable vehicle trailers are expensive, difficult toconstruct, not easily deployed for use in towing, not easily storedduring periods of nonuse, bulky, and difficult to construct, all ofwhich necessitate continued improvement in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the principle of the invention, there is provided atransport vehicle having a rear end. A tow bat is attached to the rearend of the vehicle, and a bed is formed in the rear end of the vehicle.A base is seated on the bed, which supports a load-bearing platform atan elevated location opposing the bed forming a trailer storage spacetherebetween and an opening into the storage space at the rear end ofthe vehicle. A trailer is also provided, which includes a trailerchassis having an upstream end, a downstream end, an upper face forreceiving a load, and an opposing lower face, a plurality of wheelsupports attached to the trailer chassis, and a ground engaging wheelrotatably mounted to each of the wheel supports. A drawbar is attachedto the trailer, which projects forwardly of the upstream end to a freeend carrying a trailer hitch adapted to be hitched to the tow bat fortowing the trailer chassis behind the vehicle. The trailer ispositionable in a stored position consisting of the trailer in thetrailer storage space with the upper face of the trailer chassis facingthe load-bearing platform and the lower face of the trailer chassisfacing the bed.

Each of the wheel supports includes a fixture mounted to the trailerchassis between an operative position away from the trailer chassisdisposing the wheel attached thereto in a ground engaging position, anda stored position in juxtaposition with the trailer chassis disposingthe wheel attached thereto in an inoperative position. A lock assemblyis provided for locking the fixture in its operative position and forlocking the fixture in its stored position. A bed engaging roller ismounted to the fixture engaging the bed when the trailer is placed inits stored position and the fixture is disposed in its stored positionproviding wheeled mobility for the trailer relative to the bed in thestored position of the trailer. A base engaging roller is mounted to thefixture for engaging the base when the trailer is placed in its storedposition and the fixture is disposed in its stored position providingwheeled mobility for the trailer relative to the base in the storedposition of the trailer. In another embodiment, the trailer chassis hasopposing sides, and a base engaging roller is mounted to each of theopposing sides of the trailer chassis for engaging the base when thetrailer is placed in its stored position for providing wheeled mobilityof the trailer chassis relative to the base. A door is mounted to thevehicle for movement between an open position opening the opening to thetrailer storage space and a closed position closing the opening to thetrailer storage space.

Further provided is a first railing, a second railing, first engagementapparatus including a first element thereof carried by the trailerchassis adjacent the first side thereof and a first complemental elementthereof carried by the first railing, and second engagement apparatusincluding a second element thereof carried by the trailer chassisadjacent the second side thereof and a second complemental elementthereof carried by the second railing. Tail lights are attached to therear end of the trailer chassis, and an electrical pigtail connector isoperatively coupled to the tail lights.

According to the principle of the invention, there is provided a wheeledhousing including a compartment formed therein and an opening formedtherein leading to the compartment. The compartment is defined byopposing sidewalls of the housing, a back wall of the housing, and afloor of the housing. The wheeled housing further includes opposingforward and rearward ends, opposing sides, and a wheel mounted to eachside of the wheeled housing at the forward end thereof.

Also provided is a drawbar having a proximal end and an opposing distalend having attached thereto a hitch adapted to be hitched to a tow bat.A trailer chassis has an upstream end adapted to be coupled to theproximal end of the drawbar, a downstream end, an upper face forreceiving a load, and an opposing lower face. A plurality of wheelsupports is attached to the trailer chassis, and a ground engaging wheelis rotatably mounted to each of the wheel supports. The trailer chassisis movable between a stored position consisting of the trailer chassisin the compartment with the upper face of the trailer chassis facing thecompartment opening and the lower face of the trailer chassis facing thefloor, and a deployed position withdrawn from the compartment throughthe opening thereof. A door is mounted to the housing for movementbetween an open position opening the opening to the compartment and aclosed position closing the opening to the compartment enclosing thereinthe trailer chassis in its stored position. Tail lights are attached tothe rear end of the trailer chassis, and an electrical pigtail connectoroperatively coupled to the tail lights.

Each of the wheel supports consists of a fixture mounted to the trailerchassis between an operative position away from the trailer chassisdisposing the wheel attached thereto in a ground engaging position, anda stored position in juxtaposition with the trailer chassis disposingthe wheel attached thereto in an inoperative position. A floor engagingroller is mounted to the fixture engaging the floor of the housing whenthe trailer chassis is placed in its stored position and the fixture isdisposed in its stored position providing wheeled mobility for thetrailer chassis relative to the floor in the stored position of thetrailer chassis. A sidewall engaging roller is mounted to the fixturefor engaging one of the sidewalls of the housing when the trailerchassis is placed in its stored position and the fixture is disposed inits stored position providing wheeled mobility for the trailer chassisrelative to the one of the sidewalls of the housing in the storedposition of the trailer chassis. A lock assembly is provided for lockingthe fixture in its operative position and for locking the fixture in itsstored position. In a particular embodiment, the trailer chassis hasopposing sides, and a sidewall engaging roller is mounted to each of theopposing sides of the trailer chassis for engaging the respectivesidewalls of the housing when the trailer chassis is placed in itsstored position for providing wheeled mobility of the trailer chassisrelative to the sidewalls of the housing.

Further to the present embodiment is a first railing, a second railing,first engagement apparatus including a first element thereof carried bythe trailer chassis adjacent the first side thereof and a firstcomplemental element thereof carried by the first railing, and secondengagement apparatus including a second element thereof carried by thetrailer chassis adjacent the second side thereof and a secondcomplemental element thereof carried by the second railing.

In a preferred embodiment, storage compartments are formed in theopposing sides of the housing, and the lid closes the storagecompartments in its closed position and opens the storage compartmentsin its open position. The lid has an inner surface, padding is affixedto the inner surface, and the padding compresses against the upper faceof the trailer chassis in the closed position of the lid substantiallyimmobilizing the trailer chassis in the compartment.

Consistent with the foregoing summary of preferred embodiments of theinvention, and the ensuing specification, which are to be takentogether, the invention also contemplates additional embodiments as setforth herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a fragmented perspective view of a transport vehicle includinga bed formed in the rear end thereof, a base seated on the bedsupporting a load-bearing platform at an elevated location opposing thebed forming a trailer storage space therebetween, and a trailer disposedpartially in the storage space, in accordance with the principle of theinvention;

FIGS. 2-4 are fragmented side elevational views of the transport vehicleof FIG. 1 showing a sequence of deploying the trailer from the transportvehicle;

FIG. 5 is a partially exploded perspective view of the trailer of FIG.1;

FIG. 5A is a fragmented perspective view of the trailer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the trailer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the trailer of FIG. 1, the opposingside elevational view being substantially the same thereof;

FIG. 8 is a fragmented, partially exploded perspective view of a wheelassembly of the trailer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a portable trailer assembly shown with atrailer thereof depicted as it would appear partially withdrawn from ahousing with a lid thereof shown as it would appear in an open position,in accordance with the principle of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a fragmented vertical sectional view of the housing of FIG. 9with the lid shown as it would appear in a closed position enclosing thetrailer in the housing;

FIG. 11 is an upright side elevational view of the housing of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is an alternate embodiment of a wheel assembly for use with atrailer constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of theinvention;

FIG. 13 is a fragmented rear elevational view of the wheel assembly ofFIG. 12 shown as it would appear in an operative position with portionsthereof and a trailer chassis associated therewith shown in verticalcross section for illustrative purposes;

FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of the wheel assembly as arranged inFIG. 13 shown as it would appear in its operative position;

FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of the wheel assembly of FIG. 12shown as it would appear in a partially stored position;

FIG. 16 is a fragmented rear elevational view of the wheel assembly asarranged in FIG. 12 shown as it would appear in the partially storedposition with portions thereof and a trailer chassis associatedtherewith shown in vertical cross section for illustrative purposes;

FIG. 17 is a fragmented rear elevational view of the wheel assembly ofFIG. 12 shown as it would appear in a stored position with portionsthereof and a trailer chassis associated therewith shown in verticalcross section for illustrative purposes;

FIG. 18 is a top plan view of the wheel assembly as arranged in FIG. 17shown in its stored position;

FIG. 19 is a side elevational view of a trailer constructed and arrangedin accordance with the principle of the invention, and shown as it wouldappear incorporated with a motorcycle;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the trailer of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a side elevational view of the trailer of FIG. 19 shown as itwould appear in a stored position;

FIGS. 22 and 23 are partially schematic side elevational views of thetrailer of FIG. 19 shown as it would appear in partially deployedconditions;

FIG. 24 is a view very similar to the view of FIG. 23, with the trailershown as it would appear in a fully deployed condition;

FIG. 25 is a fragmented perspective view of a trailer chassis of thetrailer of FIG. 19;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a trailer constructed and arranged inaccordance with the principle of the invention, and shown as it wouldappear associated with an all-terrain vehicle;

FIG. 27 is a side elevational view of the trailer of FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a trailerconstructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of theinvention;

FIG. 29 is a bottom perspective view of the trailer of FIG. 28;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a hitch assembly foruse with the trailer of FIG. 28;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a hitchassembly for use with the trailer of FIG. 28;

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of a sled trailer constructed and arrangedin accordance with the principle of the invention, and shown as it wouldappear associated with a snow mobile;

FIG. 33 is a side elevational view of the sled trailer of FIG. 32; and

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a sledtrailer constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning now to the drawings, in which like reference characters indicatecorresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is firstdirected to FIG. 1 in which there is seen a transport vehicle 50 havinga rear end 51, a bed 52 formed in rear end 51, and a tow bat 53 attachedto rear end 51 of vehicle 50. Vehicle 50 is a motor vehicle and isexemplary of a conventional pickup truck including a wheeled chassis 54that supports a cab 55 at a front end thereof and bed 52 at rear end 51thereof.

According to the principle of the invention, a base 60 is seated on bed52, which supports a load-bearing platform 61 at an elevated locationopposing bed 52 forming a trailer storage space 62 therebetween and anopening 63 into trailer storage space 62 at rear end 51 of vehicle 50.Base 60 consists of opposed, elongate parallel support members 65 and 66onto which platform 61 is set and rigidly secured thereto with nails,screws, nut-and-bolt assemblies, welding, a combination of two or moreof the foregoing, or the like. Support members 65 and 66 are made ofsteel, aluminum, wood, or other substantially rigid material orcombination of substantially rigid materials being strong anddamage-resistant, and are each integrally formed or fashioned as anassembly is rigidly attached parts. Like support members 65 and 66,platform 61 is made of steel, aluminum, plywood, or other substantiallyrigid material or combination of materials being strong and capable ofreceiving thereon, and supporting, a load. Platform 61 is relativelylarge, rugged, and rectangular in shape, and for the purpose oforientation it is to be understood that platform 61 has an upper face 68for receiving a load, and an opposing lower face 69 directed into, andin part defining, trailer storage space 62.

The combination of base 60 and platform 61 constitutes an auxiliary bedmember 70, which, when positioned in bed as shown substantially in FIG.1, occupies the majority of bed 52 blocking access to it for its normaluse in taking on payload for transport. However, the provision ofplatform 61 takes over the function of bed 52, in which payload may bepositioned on upper face 68 for transport, with the understanding thetrailer storage space 62 is reserved for receiving trailer 80. Forillustrative purposes only, FIG. 1 depicts a camper shell 71 positionedabove bed 52 and is depicted as it would appear before being installedthereto in a normal and customary way so as to enclose a storage areaabove bed 52.

Trailer 80 is positionable in a stored position in storage space 62through opening 63 for storage during periods of nonuse, and is capableof being withdrawn from storage space 62 through opening at rear end ofvehicle 50 into a drawn position in preparation for towing. Trailer 80is designed to carry a load and is, therefore, fashioned of strong,resilient materials commonly found among conventional transporttrailers, which is the case with all of the trailers set forth in thisdisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 5, trailer 80 consists of a trailer chassis 81 havingan upstream end 82, an opposing downstream end 83, opposing sides 84 and85, an upper face 86 for receiving a load, and an opposing lower face87. A wheel assembly 90 is attached to trailer chassis 81 at each ofsides 84 and 85. A ground engaging wheel 91 is rotatably mounted to eachof wheel assemblies 90. Trailer 80 has an attached drawbar 92, which iselongate having a proximal end 93 coupled to trailer chassis 81 andprojecting forwardly there from and from upstream end 82 to a distal orfree end 94 carrying a trailer hitch 95 adapted to be hitched to tow bat53 (FIG. 1) in a conventional manner for towing trailer 80 behindvehicle 50 (FIG. 1). In this particular embodiment, proximal end 93 isfitted into a socket 96 formed into upstream end 82 of trailer chassis81 and is secured in place with a nut-and-bolt assembly designated at97. After disassembling and removing nut-and-bolt assembly 97, drawbar92 can be easily detached from trailer chassis 81 and stored duringperiods of nonuse. The preferred storage place for drawbar 92 is storagespace 62.

With continuing reference to FIG. 5, railing 100 is provided, whichconsists of an elongate rail 101 including opposing forward and rearwardends 102 and 103, a front leg 104 attached to rail 101 adjacent forwardend 102 and a rear leg 105 attached to rail 101 adjacent rearward end103. Front and rear legs 104 and 105 are substantially parallel relativeto one another and depend downwardly there from terminating with freeends 106 and 107, respectively, that are to be fitted into correspondingsockets 108 and 109 formed into trailer chassis 81 at side 85 throughupper face 86 securing railing 100 to trailer 80, and which projectsupwardly from upper face 86 of trailer 80 at side 85 for preventingpayload placed onto upper face 86 from falling off side 85 of trailer 80during use. Socket 108 is disposed toward upstream end 82 of trailer 80,and socket 109 is disposed toward downstream end 83. Rail 101 is hingedat an intermediate location between forward and rearward ends 102 and103 with a hinge 110, which allows railing 100 to be folded into acollapsed condition for easy storage during periods of nonuse. Side 85of trailer 80 is the right or starboard side of trailer 80. Accordingly,railing 100 is considered the right or starboard side railing fortrailer 80.

The combination of free ends 106 and 107 adapted to be fitted intosockets 108 and 109, respectively, is exemplary of an engagementapparatus providing a removable engagement of railing 100 to trailer 80,in which free ends 106 and 107 together constitute an element of theengagement apparatus and sockets 108 and 109 together constitute acomplemental element of the engagement apparatus. Those having regardfor the art will readily appreciate that any form of engagementapparatus capable of providing a removable engagement of railing 100 totrailer 80 can be used without departing from the invention, and thatthe engagement apparatus set forth herein is disclosed merely as amatter of example, although it is preferred because it is easy toconstruct, inexpensive, and efficient.

Referring now to FIG. 5A there is seen another railing 120 that, incommon with railing 120, consists of an elongate rail 121 includingopposing forward and rearward ends 122 and 123, a front leg 124 attachedto rail 121 adjacent forward end 122 and a rear leg 125 attached to rail121 adjacent rearward end 123. Front and rear legs 124 and 125 aresubstantially parallel relative to one another and depend downwardlythere from terminating with free ends 126 and 127, respectively, thatare to be fitted into corresponding sockets 128 and 129 formed intotrailer chassis 81 at side 84 through upper face 86 securing railing 120to trailer 80, and which projects upwardly from upper face 86 of trailerat side 84 for preventing payload placed onto upper face 86 from fallingoff side 84 of trailer 80 during use. Socket 128 is disposed towardupstream end 82 of trailer 80, and socket 129 is disposed towarddownstream end 83. Rail 121 is hinged at an intermediate locationbetween forward and rearward ends 122 and 123 with a hinge 130, whichallows railing 120 to be folded into a collapsed condition for easystorage during periods of nonuse. Side 85 of trailer 80 is the left orport side of trailer 80. Accordingly, railing 120 is considered the leftor port side railing for trailer 80.

The combination of free ends 126 and 127 adapted to be fitted intosockets 128 and 129, respectively, is exemplary of an engagementapparatus providing a removable engagement of railing 120 to trailer 80,in which free ends 126 and 127 together constitute an element of theengagement apparatus and sockets 128 and 129 together constitute acomplemental element of the engagement apparatus. Those having regardfor the art will readily appreciate that any form of engagementapparatus capable of providing a removable engagement of railing 120 totrailer 80 can be used without departing from the invention, and thatthe engagement apparatus set forth herein is disclosed merely as amatter of example, although it is preferred because it is easy toconstruct, inexpensive, and efficient.

And so railings 100 and 120 constitute starboard and port side barriers,which together prevent cargo positioned on trailer 80 from discharginglaterally of sides 85 and 84, respectively. It is to be understood thattrailer 80 can be configured with additional railings or barriers forconfining cargo placed on trailer 80 including, for instance, anupstream end railing/barrier at upstream end 82 and/or a downstreamrailing/barrier at downstream end 83.

Referring back to FIG. 5, trailer 80 incorporates tail lights 140, whichare attached to downstream end 83 of trailer chassis 81 in aconventional manner. An electrical pigtail connector 141 is operativelycoupled to tail lights 140 with conventional electrical wiring 142.Pigtail connector 141 is adapted to be attached to a corresponding powercoupling at the rear of a vehicle for transferring braking and turnsignaling from the vehicle to trailer 80.

For the purposes of disclosure and illustration, FIG. 6 is an enlargedtop plan view of trailer 80, and FIG. 7 is an enlarged left sideelevational view thereof, in which the opposing right side elevationalview is substantially the same thereof. Also, and as previouslymentioned in conjunction with FIG. 1, trailer 80 is positionable in astored position in storage space 62 through opening 63 for storageduring periods of nonuse, and may be withdrawn from storage space 62through opening at rear end of vehicle 50 into a drawn position forpreparation for towing. Drawbar 92 can be attached to trailer 80 in itsstored position, or detached from trailer 80 in its stored position. Itis to be understood that storage space 62 is able to accommodate trailer80 therein in its stored position when drawbar 92 is attached thereto.In its stored position in storage space 62, upper face 86 of trailer 80faces load-bearing platform 61, lower face 87 of trailer 80 faces bed52, upstream end 82 of trailer 80 is directed inwardly toward the backof cap 55, and downstream end 83 of trailer 80 is disposed at rear end51 of vehicle 50 adjacent opening 63.

Wheel assemblies 90 are identical to one another and only one will bediscussed with the understanding that the ensuing discussion applies toeach wheel assembly 90. Further, in the preferred embodiment set forthherein trailer 80 incorporates two wheel assemblies 90 and correspondingwheels 91 on each side of trailer 80, and less or more may be useddepending on specific needs.

Turning now to FIG. 8, wheel assembly 90 at side 84 of trailer 80consists of a fixture 150 having a proximal extremity 151 and anopposing distal extremity 152 having an upper surface 153 congruent witha lateral side surface 154. A stub axle 155 is mounted to a bifurcatedwheel support 156 affixed to, and depending downwardly from, distalextremity 152 of fixture 150 and to which wheel 91 is rotatably mountedin a conventional manner. A base roller 160 is affixed to upper surface153, and a bed roller 161 is affixed to side surface 154. In thisembodiment, roller 160 is considered a base roller, and roller 161 isconsidered a bed roller. Base roller 160 is a ball-type roller, and bedroller 161 is a caster-type roller, and this can be reversed, ifdesired. Base and base rollers 160 and 161 can each be provided as thesame type of roller, if desired, such as a ball-type roller or acaster-type roller.

A pin 170 is carried by proximal extremity 151 of fixture 150, which isperpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of fixture 150 extendingtherethrough from proximal extremity 151 to distal extremity 152. Pin170 has a front end 171 directed toward the upstream end 82 (not shownin FIG. 8) of trailer 80 and a rear end 172 directed toward downstreamend 83 of trailer 80. Proximal extremity 151 is positioned betweenopposing supports 175 and 176 mounted to the underside of trailerchassis 81. Front and rear ends 171 and 172 are received into, opposed,corresponding bores 175A and 176A formed in supports 175 and 176,respectively, providing a pivotal mount of fixture 150 to trailer 80between an operative position depending downwardly and away from lowerface 87 of trailer 80 disposing wheel 90 in an operative or groundengaging position to be received against the ground for providingwheeled movement for trailer 80 for towing, and a stored position towardlower face 87 being in juxtaposition with trailer chassis 81 disposingwheel 91 in an inoperative position.

A locking assembly is provided for locking fixture 150 in its operativeand stored position, which consists of a locking pin 180 having opposingheaded and pinned ends 180A and 180B, a cotter pin 181, a through bore182 formed through proximal end 151 of fixture 150, a first pair ofopposed, corresponding bores 175C and 175D formed in supports 175 and176, respectively, and a second pair of corresponding bores 175E and175F formed in supports 175 and 176. Through bore 182 lies beneath, andis parallel to, pin 170. In its operative position, through bore 182registers with bores 175C and 175D, and in its stored position throughbore 182 registers with bores 175E and 175F. To secure fixture 150 inits operative position, Locking pin 180 is passed concurrently into andthrough bores 175C and 175D and through bore 182 therebetween and cotterpin 181 is then mounted to pinned end 180B that together with headed end180A, each on either side of supports 175 and 176, secures locking pin180 in place. Reversing this operation unlocks fixture 150 from itsoperative position. To secure fixture 150 in its stored position,locking pin 180 is passed concurrently into and through bores 175E and175F and through bore 182 therebetween and cotter pin 181 is thenmounted to pinned end 180B that together with headed end 180A, each oneither side of supports 175 and 176, secures locking pin 180 in place.Reversing this operation unlocks fixture 150 from its stored position.

In the stored position of fixture 150 of wheel assembly 90 at side 84 oftrailer 80, base roller 160 is directed laterally of side 84 of trailer80, and bed roller 161 is directed downwardly away from lower face 87 oftrailer 80. In the stored position of fixture 150 of wheel assembly 90at side 85 of trailer 80, base roller 160 is directed laterally of side85 of trailer 80, and bed roller 161 is directed downwardly away fromlower face 87 of trailer 80.

Preferably, fixtures 150 of wheel assemblies 90 are each placed in thestored position in the stored position of trailer 80 depicted in FIG. 1.According to the principle of the invention, when fixtures 150 are intheir stored positions bed rollers 161 engage bed 52 when trailer 80 isplaced in its stored position in storage space 62 which provides easyand efficient wheeled movement and mobility of trailer 80 relative tobed 52 for permitting trailer 80 to be easily moved not only intostorage space 62 through opening 63 but also out of storage space 62from opening 63 in preparation for towing. According to the principle ofthe invention, when fixtures 150 are in their stored positions baserollers 160 are for engaging support members 65 and 66, respectively, ofbase 60 when trailer 80 is placed in its stored position in storagespace 62 which provides easy and efficient wheeled movement and mobilityof trailer 80 relative to base 60 reducing frictional engagement oftrailer 80 against base 60 and for permitting trailer 80 to be easilymoved not only into storage space 62 through opening 63 but also out ofstorage space 62 from opening 63 in preparation for towing.

Referring back to FIG. 5, trailer 80 shown therein incorporates opposingbase rollers 185 and 186 mounted to sides 84 and 85 of trailer chassis81. Base rollers 185 and 186 are each identical to bed roller 160 andare disposed at sides 84 and 85, respectively, each adjacent one ofwheel assemblies 90. These base rollers 185 and 186 are positioned forengaging support members 65 and 66 of base 60 when trailer 80 is placedin its stored position in storage space 62 for providing additionalwheeled mobility of trailer 80 relative to base 60 for providing thesame function as base rollers 160. With the provision of base rollers185 and 186, base rollers 160 carried by fixtures 150 may be altogetheromitted, if desired.

As a matter of illustration, FIGS. 2-4 show the sequence of movement oftrailer 80 from its stored position to its drawn position for towing.FIG. 2 shows trailer 80 partially withdrawn from its stored position,FIG. 3 shows trailer 80 even further withdrawn from its stored positionwith wheel assembly 90 at side 84 trailer 80 disposed in its operativeposition, and FIG. 4 shows trailer 80 fully withdrawn from its storedposition and hitched to vehicle 50 by the hitched engagement of hitch 95to tow bat 53 and wheel 91 of wheel assembly 90 at side 84 of trailerengaging the ground for preparation for towing. In FIG. 4 railing 120 isshown secured in place to trailer 80, and pigtail connector 141 isplugged into a corresponding power coupling (not shown) of vehicle 50 ina conventional manner for conveying braking and turn signaling from thevehicle to trailer 80.

And so it is to be understood that auxiliary bed member 70 and trailer80 are uniquely adapted to be used in conjunction with a pickup truck.When auxiliary bed member 70 is positioned in bed 52, storage space 62for trailer 80 and upper face 68 of platform 61 provides a convenientload-bearing surface onto which items may be placed for transport.Trailer 80 is not only easily positioned to be stored into storage space62 through opening 63 so that it may be easily and convenientlytransported from place to place, but it is also easily and readilycapable of being withdrawn from storage space 62 through opening 63 in adrawn position for towing, in which wheel assemblies 90 are easilyadjusted to their stored position for storing trailer 80 in storagespace 62 and also easily adjusted into their operative positions forpreparation for towing trailer 80 behind vehicle 50 should the need fortowing a selected payload arise. Railings 100 and 120 may be easilysecured in place to trailer 80 for preventing payload positioned onupper face 86 of trailer from falling off the sides of trailer 80, andpayload positioned on upper face 86 may be conveniently tied forsecuring payload in place. Railings 100 and 120 are hinged so that theybe detached from trailer 80 and folded compactly for easy storage, suchas in storage space 62 or elsewhere.

Vehicle 50 may be equipped with a gate or door that may be used forclosing opening 63 to storage space 62 for preventing trailer 80 fromdischarging from storage space 62 from its stored position when vehicle50 is being driven. This can be provided by a conventional tailgatemounted to rear end 51 of vehicle 50 or a different door or gate, suchas door 71A of camper shell 71, which is mounted in place for pivotalmovement between a raised or open position and a lowered or closedposition. Referring generally to FIGS. 1-4, it is to be understood thatwhen camper shell 71 is secured to vehicle 50 at rear end 51 of vehicle50 overlying the bed, that door 71A is pivots between an open positionopening the opening 63 to storage space 62 and a closed position closingthe opening 63 to storage space 62. Storage space 62 and opening 63 arenot shown in FIGS. 2-4.

Referring now to FIG. 9 there is seen a perspective view of a furtherexemplary embodiment of the invention, that being a portable trailerassembly 190 including a transport housing 200 and trailer 80. Inaccordance with the principle of the invention, housing 200 is a wheeledhousing and includes opposing ends 201 and 202, opposing sides 203 and204, a top 205 and an opposing bottom 206. In the interests oforientation and reference, it is to be understood that end 201 isconsidered a forward end of housing 200, end 202 is considered arearward end of housing 200, side 203 is considered the left or portside of housing 200, and side 204 is considered the right or starboardside of housing 200. A wheel 207 (only one shown) is mountedconventionally for rotation to each side 203 and 204 of housing 200 atforward end 201 thereof, in which housing 200 may be tipped up at itsrearward end 202 and rolled from place to place for easy, rolledtransport of housing 200 and trailer 80 maintained therein. Housing 200is preferably made of aluminum, wood, hard plastic, or othersubstantially rigid material or combination of substantially rigidmaterials being strong and damage-resistant.

A compartment 210 is formed in housing 200 as is an opening 211 leadingthereto. Compartment 210 is defined by opposing upstanding sidewalls 212and 213 of housing 200, a corresponding upstanding back wall 214 ofhousing 200, and a large, flat, horizontal floor 215 of housing 200.Sidewall 212 is located at side 213 of housing 200, sidewall 213 islocated at side 214 of housing 200, and back wall 214 is located betweenends 211 and 212 and more toward end 211 than end 212 as clearly shownin FIG. 9. Top 205 is formed with a lid 216 having a distal end 216A andan opposing proximal end 216B mounted to housing 200 for pivotalmovement with one or more conventional hinges between an open positionof lid 216 as shown in FIG. 9 away from compartment 210 opening theopening 211 to compartment 200 and a closed position of lid 216 towardcompartment 210 closing the opening 211 to compartment 200 and enclosingcompartment 210. FIG. 11 is an upright side elevational view of housing200 shown as it would appear with lid 216 in its closed or shut positionand in preparation for wheeled movement.

Trailer 80 is positionable in a stored position in compartment 210through opening 211 for storage in housing 200 during periods of nonuse,and may be withdrawn from compartment 210 through opening 211 of housing200 into a drawn position for preparation for towing. In its storedposition in compartment 210, upper face 86 of trailer 80 faces lid 21,lower face 87 of trailer 80 faces floor 215, upstream end 82 of trailer80 is directed inwardly toward back wall 214 of housing 200, downstreamend 83 of trailer 80 is disposed at end 202 of housing 200, side 84 oftrailer 80 is directed toward side wall 212, and side 85 of trailer 80is directed toward side wall 214. When trailer 80 is stored in housing200, lid 216 is preferably moved into its closed position closingopening 211 and enclosing compartment 210 and trailer 80 positionedtherein. Distal end 216A of lid 216 preferably incorporates aconventional latch 217 (FIG. 9), which is used to secure lid 216 in itsclosed position and which then may be conveniently unlatched for openinglid 216 to gain access to trailer 80 positioned in housing 200. Latch217 is the type commonly found incorporated with pickup truck tailgatesin a preferred embodiment, although any suitable latch form may be usedwithout departing from the invention.

Lid 216 has an inner surface 216C directed toward compartment 210, andan opposing outer surface 216D. Padding 219, which is preferably foampadding, is affixed to inner surface 216C, such as with adhesive,screws, rivets, etc. According to the invention, padding 219 compressesagainst upper face 86 of trailer 80 in the closed position of lid 216 asshown in FIG. 10. This substantially immobilizes trailer 80 incompartment 210 thereby substantially preventing it from shifting incompartment 210.

Preferably, wheel assemblies 90 of trailer 80 are placed in their storedpositions in the stored position of trailer 80 in compartment 210 sothat rollers 161 engage floor 215 when trailer 80 is placed in itsstored position in compartment 210 which provides easy and efficientwheeled movement and mobility of trailer 80 relative to floor 215 forpermitting trailer 80 to be easily moved not only into compartment 210through opening 211 when lid 216 is opened but also out of compartment210 through opening 211 in preparation for towing. When trailer 80 isused in conjunction with housing 200, rollers 161 are considered floorrollers. In FIG. 9, draw bar 92 is not shown attached to socket 96,which is preferred for the storage of trailer 80 in compartment 210.Draw bar 92 can be placed in compartment 210 and stored thereinaccompanying trailer 80 when stored therein. After withdrawing trailer80 from housing 200 in preparation for towing, it is to be understoodthat draw bar 92 is to be attached to socket 96 for preparing trailer 80for towing. Compartment 210 may be sized or accommodating trailer 80 inits stored position with draw bar 92 attached thereto.

According to the principle of the invention, when wheel assemblies 90are in their stored positions rollers 160 are for engaging sidewalls 212and 213, respectively, of housing 200 when trailer 80 is placed in itsstored position in compartment 210, which provides easy and efficientwheeled movement and mobility of trailer 80 relative to sidewalls 212and 213 reducing frictional engagement of trailer 80 against sidewalls212 and 213 and for permitting trailer 80 to be easily moved not onlyinto compartment 210 through opening 211 but also out of compartment 210through opening 211 in preparation for towing. When trailer 80 is usedin conjunction with housing 200, rollers 160 are considered sidewallrollers.

Rollers 185 and 186 of trailer 80 (FIG. 9) are positioned for engagingsidewalls 212 and 213 of housing 200 when trailer 80 is placed in itsstored position in compartment 210 for providing additional wheeledmobility of trailer 80 relative to sidewalls 212 and 213 of housing 200for providing the same function as rollers 160. With the provision ofrollers 185 and 186, rollers 160 may be altogether omitted, if desired.

Housing 200 is thus the mechanism for storing trailer 80, and because itis wheeled with wheels 207 it is easily taken up and rolled from placeto place as needed. Housing 200 may be placed into a vehicle fortransport from place to place, in which trailer 80 may be removed fromhousing 200 as the need arises for towing and then placed back inhousing 200 for storage after use. Preferably, housing 200 is designedto be placed onto the bed of a pickup, such as bed 52 previouslydiscussed. Preferably, housing 200 is placed onto a bed of a pickup sothat lid 216 faces up and is directed rearwardly so that it may bereadily accessed for opening housing 200 to access compartment 210 andtrailer 80 housed therein. When placed into the bed of a pickup, cargomay be placed onto top 205 of housing 200 for transport. After placinghousing 200 into the bed of a pickup, it may, if desired, be secured inplace to the bed, such as with screws 218 (FIG. 9) or the like, suchthat end 202 is directed rearwardly or otherwise downstream forconvenient access to lid 216 and to trailer 80 located in housing 200.

To increase the utility of housing 200, storage compartments 220 areformed in sides 203 and 204 of housing 200, which may be used forstoring any number of selected items, such as food, tools, flashlights,first-aid kits, fishing gear, ammunition, camping equipment, etc. Lid216 closes storage compartments 220 in its closed position and opensstorage compartments 220 in its open position. Although housing 200incorporates two storage compartments 220, it may be configured withless or more.

Wheel assembly 90 is preferred for trailer 80 insofar as each is easy toconstruct, efficient, and easily movable between stored and deployedpositions. FIG. 12 is an alternate embodiment of a wheel assembly 230for use with a trailer constructed and arranged in accordance with theprinciple of the invention and is discussed in conjunction with side 84of trailer 80, with the understanding that the ensuing discussion alsoapplies to such a wheel assembly incorporated with side 85 of trailer80.

Wheel assembly 230 consists of a fixture 231, having a proximal end 232and an opposing bifurcated distal end 233. There is also a wheel support240 having an upper end 241 and an opposing lower end 242, and which ispositioned in bifurcated distal extremity 233 and mounted for pivotalmovement thereto at a location therebetween upper end 241 and lower end242 with a pivot pin 245. Lower end 242 is a bifurcated wheel support towhich is mounted a stub axle 243. A wheel 244 is rotatably mounted tostub axle 243 in a conventional manner. Wheel assembly 230 is movablebetween an operative position with lower end 242 depending downwardlyand away from lower face 87 of trailer 80 disposing wheel 244 in anoperative or ground engaging position to be received against the groundfor providing wheeled movement for trailer 80 for towing, and a storedposition in juxtaposition with upper face 86 of trailer 80 disposingwheel 244 in an inoperative position. A locking assembly is provided forlocking wheel assembly 230 in its operative and stored position.

A receiving area 250 is formed in side 84 of trailer 80. Fixture 231 ispositioned in receiving area 250, and is mounted for pivotal movement totrailer 80 with a pivot pin 251 secured to fixture 231 and which extendstransversely of fixture 231 at a generally intermediate location betweenproximal and distal ends 232 and 233, and which is received in a bore252 formed in trailer 80 at either side of receiving area 250. Opposed,parallel through bores 254 and 255 extend through fixture 231 on eitherside of pivot pin 251. Through bore 254 is disposed between pivot pins245 and 251. Pivot pins 245 and 251 and through bores 254 and 255 areparallel relative to one another and perpendicular to the centrallongitudinal axis of fixture 231 extending therethrough from proximalend 232 to distal end 233.

Fixture 231 is mounted for pivotal movement at pivot pin 251 between adeployed position and a stored position. In the deployed position offixture 231, distal end 233 is directed outwardly of trailer 80 andproximal end 232 is directed inwardly of trailer 80, and this is shownin FIG. 13. In the stored position of fixture 231, distal end 233 isdirected inwardly of trailer 80 and proximal end 232 is directedoutwardly of trailer 80, and this is shown in FIG. 17.

In the deployed position of fixture 231, wheel support 240 may be placedin one of two different positions relative to fixture 231, namely, adeployed position as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 placing wheel 24 in aground engaging position for towing, and a stored position as shown inFIGS. 15 and 16. In the deployed positions of fixture 231 and wheelsupport 240 as shown in FIG. 13, wheel assembly 230 is, as a whole,deployed or otherwise disposed in a deployed or operative position, inwhich wheel 244 is disposed in its operative or ground engaging positionfor towing relative to trailer 80. In the stored positions of fixture231 and wheel support 240 as shown in FIG. 17, wheel assembly 230 is, asa whole, stored or otherwise disposed in a stored or inoperativeposition, in which wheel assembly 230 is collapsed relative to trailer80.

In the deployed positions of fixture 231 and wheel support 240 as shownin FIG. 13, wheel support 240 is perpendicular relative to fixture 231,and a through bore 260 extending through an appendage 261 of wheelsupport 240 formed laterally inward of pivot pin 245 registers with bore254 through fixture 231. The locking assembly for wheel assembly 230includes a locking pin 262 and a pin-receiving bore 266. Locking pin 262is mounted to trailer chassis 81 at side 84 for reciprocal movement inopposition to fixture 231 from a downstream location of receiving area250 relative to fixture 231. Locking pin 262 registers with bores 260and 254 in the deployed positions of fixture 231 and wheel support 240.To lock wheel assembly 230 in its deployed position, locking pin 262 ispassed concurrently into and through bores 260 and 254 and intopin-receiving bore 266 formed in trailer chassis 81 at an upstreamlocation of receiving area 250 thereby locking wheel assembly 230 in itsdeployed position. Reversing this operation unlocks wheel assembly 230from its deployed position.

A handle 263 is attached to locking pin 262, which extends outboard ofupper face 86 of trailer 80 through an elongate groove 264 (FIGS. 12 and18) formed through upper face 86 of trailer 80. Handle 263 is used toreciprocate locking pin 262 between its locked and unlocked positions.

To move wheel assembly 230 from its deployed position to its storedposition, wheel support 240 is pivoted 90 degrees upwardly relative tofixture 231 in its deployed position so that a through bore 270 formedthrough upper end 241 of wheel support 240 registers with through bore254 through fixture 231, in which locking pin 262 registers therewithand may be passed concurrently through bores 270 and 254 and intopin-receiving bore 266 locking wheel support 240 in place in its storedposition relative to fixture 231. Rather than moving locking pin 262concurrently into and through bores 270 and 254 locking wheel support240 in what is considered its stored position relative to fixture 231,fixture 231 and wheel support 240 may be together pivoted upwardly atpivot pin 251 into the stored position of fixture 230 as shown in FIGS.17 and 18 placing the wheel support and wheel 244 of wheel support 240in a recess 271 formed in upper surface 86 of trailer 80, which placeswheel assembly 230 as a whole into its stored position. In the storedposition of wheel assembly 230, through bore 255 through proximal end232 of fixture 231 registers with locking pin 262, in which locking pin262 may be moved through bore 270 and into pin-receiving bore 266thereby locking wheel assembly 230 in its stored position for storingtrailer 80 during periods of nonuse, either in storage space 62 inconjunction with the embodiment discussed in conjunction with FIG. 1, orin compartment 210 of housing 200 discussed in conjunction with FIG. 9.Reversing this operation unlocks wheel assembly 230 from its storedposition and allows it to be moved back into its deployed position inpreparation for towing.

Referring now to FIG. 19 there is seen a side elevational view ofanother embodiment of a trailer 300 constructed and arranged inaccordance with the principle of the invention, and shown as it wouldappear incorporated with a motorcycle 301. Looking to FIG. 20, trailer300 consists of a trailer chassis 302 including a brace 303, a framework304, a carriage 305, and a trailer platform assembly 306. Brace 302consists of an inverted, generally U-shaped support including anelongate, transverse support 310 having opposing ends 311 and 312.Opposed, parallel supports 313 and 314 depend downwardly from ends 311and 312 and terminate with lower ends 315 and 316, respectively.Transverse support 310 incorporates a socket 317 disposed at a generallyintermediate location between ends 311 and 312.

Framework 304 includes opposed parallel rails 320 and 321 mounted forpivotal movement to, and projecting forwardly of, lower ends 315 and 316of brace 303. Looking momentarily to FIG. 25, carriage 305 is positionedbetween rails 320 and is mounted thereto for movement in reciprocaldirections relative to lower ends 315 and 316 of brace 303 as indicatedby the double arrowed line A between a retracted position toward brace303 and an extended position away from brace 303. Preferably, the sidesof carriage 305 are mounted into opposed, corresponding grooves forreciprocal movement, which are formed into inner sides of rails 320 and321, respectively. In FIG. 25, a groove 308 formed into the inner sideof rail 321 is shown, into which is received the side of carriage 305.Rail 320 is provided with the same manner of groove into which isreceived the opposing side of carriage 305. Carriage 305 may be mountedto rails 320 and 321 for reciprocal movement using other forms ofreciprocal attachment mechanisms.

As best seen in FIG. 20, platform assembly 306 includes opposed upstreamand downstream platforms 330 and 331, and is positioned atop framework304 and carriage 305. Upstream platform 330 is flat and includes anupper face 340, and an opposing lower face 341 rigidly affixed to rails320 and 321 with screws, nut-and-bolt assemblies, or the like. Upstreamplatform 330 also includes opposing sides 342 and 343, an upstream end344 directed toward brace 303, and an opposing downstream end 345.Downstream platform 331 is flat and includes opposing upper and lowerfaces 350 and 351, opposing sides 352 and 353, an upstream end 354directed toward downstream end 345 of upstream platform 330, and anopposing downstream end 355. Sides 342 and 352 are the left or portsides of platforms 330 and 331, respectively, and sides 343 and 353 arethe right or starboard sides of platforms 330 and 331, respectively.

Upstream end 354 of downstream platform 331 is mounted to downstream end345 of upstream platform 330 for pivotal movement with a hinge 357, suchas a piano hinge or the like, between a raised position as shown inFIGS. 19, 20, and 24, and a lowered position as seen in FIG. 21 injuxtaposition with upstream platform 330. In the lowered position ofdownstream platform 331, lower faces 341 and 351 face one another andupstream and downstream platforms 330 and 331 are juxtaposed beingsubstantially parallel relative to one another as shown in FIG. 21. Inthe raised position of downstream platform 331 as shown in FIGS. 19 and20, it and upstream platform 330 together form a major platform onto theupper faces 340 and 350 of which cargo may be placed for towing.

Carriage 305 reciprocates relative to platform assembly 306 betweenretracted and extended positions. In its retracted position, carriage305 is located entirely underneath lower face 341 of upstream platform330, which leaves downstream platform 331 free to pivot about hinge 357.In its extended position, carriage 305 is located concurrentlyunderneath lower faces 341 and 351 of upstream and downstream platforms330 and 331. Carriage 305 is able to assume its extended position whendownstream platform 331 is disposed in its raised position as in FIGS.19 and 20. When carriage 305 is in its extended position, lower face 351of downstream panel 331 rests against it, in which carriage 305 supportsdownstream platform 331 in its raised position, in accordance with theprinciple of the invention.

Carriage 305 supports a wheel assembly 360, which, as seen in FIG. 25,consists of a wheel support 361 having an upper end 362 secured tocarriage 205 and that depends downwardly there from away from lowerfaces 341 and 351 of upstream and downstream platforms 330 and 331,respectively, as shown in FIG. 19, to a lower end 363. A stub axle 364is mounted to lower end 363 to which a ground-engaging wheel 364 isrotatably mounted in a conventional manner.

Wheel support 361 is mounted to the underside of carriage 305 forpivotal movement with a hinge 366 for movement between an operativeposition in FIGS. 19, 20, and 22-25 and a stored position as shown inFIG. 21. In its operative position, wheel 365 is in a ground-engagingposition in preparation for towing. As seen in FIG. 25, a threadedfastener 367 is mounted for rotation to upper end 362 of wheel support360 and is received into a corresponding threaded opening formed in theunderside of carriage 305, and which may be tightened for securing wheelsupport 361 in its operative position and loosened for releasing wheelassembly 360 from its locked, operative position. Upon unlocking wheelsupport 360 from its locked, operative position, wheel support 261 maybe pivoted at hinge 366 upwardly in juxtaposition with lower face 341 ofupstream platform 330 into its stored position.

Motorcycle 301 has a front end 370, an opposing rear end 371, and aframe 372, to which lower ends 315 and 316 of brace 303 are rigidlyattached on either side of motorcycle 301 at rear end 371, such as bywelding, with clamps, bolts, etc. Brace 303 can be angled rearwardly ofmotorcycle 301 as seen in FIGS. 19 and 22, or disposed in a generallyvertical position as seen in FIGS. 23 and 24. Rails 320 and 321 aremounted to lower ends 315 and 316 for pivotal movement with a stub axlepivot mount permitting framework 304 to pivot relative to lower ends 315and 316 of brace 303 between a lowered position as shown in FIGS. 19,20, and 24, and a raised position as shown in FIG. 21.

Trailer 300 is movable between a deployed or operative position in FIGS.19, 20, and 24 for towing, and a stored position in FIG. 21. In theoperative position of trailer 300, wheel assembly 360 is locked in itsoperative position, downstream platform 331 is disposed in its raisedposition, carriage 305 is disposed in its extended position underlyingupstream and downstream platforms 330 and 331, and framework 304 isdisposed in its lowered position. In its deployed position, cargo may beplaced on to upper faces 340 and 350 of upstream and downstreamplatforms 330 and 331, and trailer 300 may then be towed behindmotorcycle 301, in which wheel assembly 360 provides wheeled mobilityfor trailer 300.

In the stored position of trailer 300, carriage 305 is disposed in itsretracted position, wheel assembly 360 is pivoted into its storedposition in juxtaposition with lower face 341 of upstream platform 330,downstream platform 331 is pivoted into its lowered position injuxtaposition with upstream platform 330 capturing wheel assembly 360therebetween lower faces 341 and 351 of upstream and downstreamplatforms 330 and 331, respectively, and framework 304 is pivotedupwardly into its raised position. When framework 304 is pivotedupwardly into its raised position, a tongue 375 attached to, andprojecting forwardly of, carriage 305 opposes socket 317. To locktrailer 300 in its stored position, carriage 305 is moved toward socket317 in which tongue 375 is received into socket 317 and then locked inplace with a lock pin 376. After locking trailer 300 in its storedposition, motorcycle 301 may be driven normally. Reversing thisoperation unlocks trailer 300 from its locked, stored position andplaces trailer 300 into its locked, deployed position in preparation fortowing.

As a matter of illustration, in FIG. 22 wheel assembly 360 is disposedbetween its operative and stored position, downstream platform 331 isdisposed between its raised and lowered positions, carriage 305 isdisposed in its retracted position, and framework 304 is disposed in itslowered position. FIG. 23 is the same as FIG. 22, with the exceptionthat wheel assembly 360 is disposed in its operative position.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 26 and 27, in which there is seen aperspective view of yet another embodiment of a trailer 400 constructedand arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention. In FIG.26, trailer 400 is shown as it would appear associated with anall-terrain vehicle 401 having opposing front and rear ends 402 and 403,a tow bat 404 attached to rear end 403, and trailer storage case 405supported by vehicle 401 at its rear end 403.

Trailer 400 is movable between a deployed position for towing as inFIGS. 26 and 27, and a stored position. Trailer 400 consists of anupstream platform 410 and a downstream platform 411. Upstream platform410 is generally flat and includes opposing upper and lower faces 420and 421, opposing sides 422 and 423, an upstream end 424, and anopposing downstream end 425. A cavity 426 is formed into upper face 420.Downstream platform 411 is generally flat and includes opposing upperand lower faces 430 and 431, opposing sides 432 and 433, an upstream end434 directed toward downstream end 425 of upstream platform 410, and anopposing downstream end 435. Sides 422 and 432 are the left or portsides of platforms 410 and 411, respectively, and sides 423 and 433 arethe right or starboard sides of platforms 410 and 411, respectively.Upstream end 434 of downstream platform 411 is mounted to downstream end425 of upstream platform 410 for pivotal movement with a hinge 437, suchas a piano hinge or the like, between a raised position bringing upperface 420 in juxtaposition with upper face 430 of upstream platform 410,and a lowered position as shown in FIGS. 26 and 27. A wheel assembly 440is attached to downstream platform 411 at each of sides 432 and 433.Wheel assemblies 440 are each identical to wheel assembly 230 discussedin conjunction with FIGS. 12-18 and are each movable between anoperative or deployed position for towing as in FIGS. 26 and 27 and astored position positioned atop upper face 430. It is to be understoodthat the previous discussion of wheel assembly 230 applies equally toeach wheel assembly 440.

As best seen in FIG. 27, lower face 421 of upstream platform 420 ispositioned atop and rigidly affixed to a chassis 441 having opposingupstream and downstream ends 442 and 443. A drawbar 444 has a proximalend 445 removably attached to upstream end 442 and extends forwardlythereof to a distal end 446 having a hitch 447 attached thereto, whichis adapted to be hitched to tow bat 404 in preparation for towingtrailer 400. In the lowered position of downstream platform 331 as shownin FIGS. 19 and 20, it is supported against downstream end 443 ofchassis 441, in which upstream platform 410 and downstream platform 411together form a major platform onto the upper faces 340 and 350 of whichcargo may be placed for towing. To fully deploy trailer 400 for towing,wheel assemblies 440 are disposed in their operative positions disposingtheir respective wheels in their ground-engaging positions, and drawbar444 is secured in place. Proximal end 445 of drawbar 444 is secured tochassis 441 in the same way as that proximal end 93 of drawbar 92 isattached to trailer chassis 81 and will not be again discussed.

To place trailer 400 into its stored position, drawbar 444 is detached,wheel assemblies 440 are moved into their stored positions atop upperface 430 of downstream platform 411, and downstream platform 411 ispivoted into its stored position bringing upper face 430 of downstreamplatform 411 in juxtaposition with upper face 420 of upstream platform410, in which wheel assemblies 440 become positioned in cavity 426. Atthis point, drawbar 444 and trailer 400 may be placed into 445 mountedto vehicle 401 for transport. Reversing this operation places trailer400 into its deployed position in preparation for towing by vehicle 401when the need arises.

Turning now to FIGS. 28 and 29, illustrated is yet still anotherembodiment of a trailer 500 constructed and arranged in accordance withthe principle of the invention, and which may be towed behind any formof motorized vehicle. As with the previous trailer embodiments, trailer500 is movable between a deployed position for towing as in FIGS. 28 and29, and a stored position.

Trailer 500 consists of an upstream platform 501 and a downstreamplatform 502. Upstream platform 501 is generally flat and includesopposing upper and lower faces 510 and 511, opposing sides 512 and 513,an upstream end 514, and an opposing downstream end 515. A cavity 516(FIG. 29) is formed into lower face 511. Downstream platform 502 isgenerally flat and includes opposing upper and lower faces 520 and 521,opposing sides 522 and 523, an upstream end 524 directed towarddownstream end 515 of upstream platform 501, and an opposing downstreamend 525. Sides 512 and 522 are the left or port sides of platforms 501and 502, respectively, and sides 513 and 523 are the right or starboardsides of platforms 501 and 502, respectively. A cavity 526 (FIG. 29) isformed into lower face 521. Upstream end 524 of downstream platform 502is mounted to downstream end 515 of upstream platform 501 for pivotalmovement with a hinge 527, such as a piano hinge or the like, between alowered position bringing lower face 521 of downstream platform 502 injuxtaposition with lower face 511 of upstream platform 501, in whichcavities 516 and 526 cooperate forming a storage compartmenttherebetween. A drawbar 528 is rigidly secured to upstream end 514 ofupstream platform 501, and extends forwardly thereof to a circular hitch529 for attachment to a corresponding circular tow bat in preparationfor towing, in which such a hitched engagement pair provides a widedegree of articulation therebetween without risk of detachment, which isdesirable when trailer 500 is towed behind a vehicle riding over roughand/or irregular terrain. FIG. 31 shows circular hitch 529 as it wouldappear secured to a pinned, circular tow bat 550 carried by a U-shapedvehicle coupling 551 adapted to be secured to a motorcycle, all-terrainvehicle, or the like. Although the hitch configuration in FIG. 31 ispreferred, FIG. 30 shows an alternate hitch assembly that may be usedincluding a conventional hitch 552 secured to drawbar 518 engagable to aconventional tow bat 553 secured to coupling 551 in lieu of circular towbat 550 depicted in FIG. 31. It is to be understood that any suitablehitch assembly may be used in conjunction with drawbar 518 for towingtrailer 500.

Trailer 500 incorporates a wheel assembly 530 on either of the port andstarboard sides of trailer 500. Wheel assemblies 530 are substantiallyidentical to one another and the same reference characters are used todescribe each, in which wheel assembly 530 at the starboard side oftrailer 500 is considered the starboard side wheel assembly, and wheelassembly 530 at the port side of trailer 500 is considered the port sidewheel assembly of trailer 500. Turning now to FIG. 8, wheel assembly 530at the starboard side of trailer 500 consists of a fixture 531 having aproximal extremity 532 mounted for pivotal movement to a stub axle 533of a pivot attachment 534 secured to lower face 511 of upstream platform501. Fixture 531 extends rearwardly toward downstream platform 502 thereacross hinge 527 from proximal extremity 532 to a distal extremity 535,which confronts lower face 521. Distal extremity 535 kicks laterallyoutward to a wheel support 540, that incorporates an attachedground-engaging wheel 541, which is mounted to distal extremity 535 witha hinge 542 for pivotal movement between a lowered or deployed positiondepending away from distal extremity 535 and from lower faces 511 and521 of upstream and downstream platforms 501 and 502 disposing wheel 541in an operative, ground-engaging position, and a raised or storedposition outwardly of the starboard side of trailer 500.

A locking assembly is provided for locking wheel support 540 in itsdeployed position, which consists of a pin-receiving support 560 mountedon the underside of wheel support 540 adjacent hinge 542, and a lockingpin 561 mounted to distal extremity 535 of fixture 531 for movement inreciprocal directions in opposition to support 560 between a retractedposition detached from support 560 and a second position across hinge542 and into support 560 thereby securing wheel support 540 in itsdeployed position. Reversing this operation unlocks wheel support 540from its deployed position and permits it to be pivoted from itsdeployed position to its raised, stored position outwardly of thestarboard side of trailer 500.

Fixture 531 pivots at pivot attachment point 534 between a deployedposition and a stored position. In its deployed position, fixture 531projects rearwardly across hinge 527 to downstream platform 502, inwhich distal extremity 535 confronts lower face 521 of downstreamplatform 502. Placing wheel support 540 into its locked, deployedposition completes the placement of starboard side wheel assembly 530 asa whole into is deployed position in preparation for towing. In itsstored position, fixture 531 projects forwardly of hinge 527 opposinglower face 511. Unlocking wheel support 540 from its deployed positionto its stored position positions wheel support 540 into cavity 516 (FIG.29) opposite distal extremity 535 of fixture 531, which completes theplacement of starboard side wheel assembly 530 as a whole into is storedposition in preparation for placing trailer 500 into its stored positionfrom its deployed position.

Like wheel assembly 530 at starboard side of trailer 500, wheel assembly530 at the port side of trailer 500 consists of fixture 531 havingproximal extremity 532 mounted for pivotal movement to stub axle 533 ofpivot attachment 534 secured to lower face 521 of upstream downstreamplatform 502. Fixture 531 extends forwardly toward upstream platform 501there across hinge 527 from proximal extremity 532 to distal extremity535, which confronts lower face 511. Distal extremity 535 kickslaterally outward to wheel support 540, which is mounted to distalextremity 535 with hinge 542 for pivotal movement between a lowered ordeployed position depending away from distal extremity 535 and fromlower faces 511 and 521 of upstream and downstream platforms 501 and 502disposing wheel 541 in its operative, ground-engaging position, and araised or stored position outwardly of the port side of trailer 500.

The locking assembly is provided for locking wheel support 540 in itsdeployed position, which consists of a pin-receiving support 560 mountedon the underside of wheel support 540 adjacent hinge 542, and lockingpin 561 mounted to distal extremity 535 of fixture 531 for movement inreciprocal directions in opposition to support 560 between a retractedposition detached from support 560 and a second position across hinge542 and into support 560 thereby securing wheel support 540 in itsdeployed position. Reversing this operation unlocks wheel support 540from its deployed position and permits it to be pivoted from itsdeployed position to its raised, stored position outwardly of the portside of trailer 500.

Fixture 531 pivots at pivot attachment point 534 between a deployedposition and a stored position. In its deployed position, fixture 531projects forwardly across hinge 527 to upstream platform 501, in whichdistal extremity 535 confronts lower face 511 of upstream platform 501.Placing wheel support 540 at the port side of trailer 500 into itslocked, deployed position completes the placement of the port side wheelassembly 530 as a whole into is deployed position in preparation fortowing. In its stored position, fixture 531 projects rearwardly of hinge527 opposing lower face 521. Unlocking wheel support 540 of the portside wheel assembly 530 from its deployed position to its storedposition positions wheel support 540 into cavity 526 opposite distalextremity 535 of fixture 530, which completes the placement of the portside wheel assembly 530 as a whole into its stored position inpreparation for placing trailer 500 into its stored position from itsdeployed position. In FIG. 29, the port side wheel assembly is denotedat 530′ as it would appear in its stored position.

As previously mentioned, trailer 500 is movable between a deployedposition for towing as in FIGS. 28 and 29, and a stored position. In thedeployed position of trailer 500, downstream platform 502 is disposed inits raised position in which upstream platform 501 and downstreamplatform 502 together form a major platform onto the upper faces 510 and520 of which cargo may be placed for towing. To fully deploy trailer 500for towing, wheel assemblies 530 are placed and locked into theiroperative positions. In the operative positions of the starboard sideand port side wheel assemblies 530, fixtures traverse hinge 542, andinteract with upstream and downstream platforms 501 and 502 togetherfunctioning to support upstream and downstream platforms 501 and 502 andprevent downstream platform 502 from pivoting out of its raised positioninto its lowered position.

To place trailer 500 into its stored position, wheel assemblies 530 aremoved into their stored positions at cavities 516 and 526, respectively,and downstream platform 502 is pivoted into its stored position bringingits lower face 511 in juxtaposition with lower face 521 of upstreamplatform 501, in which cavities 516 and 526 thereby cooperate forming astorage compartment containing wheel assemblies 530, in accordance withthe principle of the invention. When placed into its stored position,trailer 500 is compact and may be easily stored when not in use.

According to the principle of the invention, attention is now directedto FIGS. 32 and 33, in which there is seen yet still a furtherembodiment of a trailer 600 that is uniquely designed to be towed insnowy/icy surfaces, such as behind a snowmobile 601 as shown in FIG. 32or other snow-going vehicle. In this embodiment, trailer 600 a pluralityof hingedly attached trailer panels 610,611,612 that may be foldedtogether compactly and carried on the back of snowmobile 601, andunfolded and hitched to snowmobile 601 for towing cargo thereon, inwhich trailer 600 slides across the snowy/icy surface much like a sled.In this embodiment, panel 610 is the upstream panel of trailer 600 andincorporates a tow bat 615 adapted to be coupled to a hitch 616 (FIG.32) formed in the back of snowmobile 601, panel 612 is the downstreampanel of trailer 600, and panel 611 is the intermediate panel of trailer600. Panels 610,611,612 are hingedly attached end to end in series withconventional piano hinges 618 or the like.

According to the principle of the invention, attention is now finallydirected to FIG. 34, in which there is seen yet another embodiment of atrailer 620 that is uniquely designed to be towed in snowy/icy surfaces,such as behind a snowmobile or other snow-going vehicle. In thisembodiment, trailer 620 includes a main trailer platform 621 havingopposing forward and rearward ends 622 and 623, and opposing sides 624and 625, an upper face 626 onto which cargo may be placed for towing andan opposing lower faces 627. Forward end 622 is mounted for pivotalmovement to an outer end 630 of a support 631 with a hinge 636, such asa piano hinge or other suitable hinge. Support 631 also has opposinginner end 632 incorporating a hitch 633 that is adapted to be hitched toa tow bat at the rear end of a snowmobile or other snow-going vehiclefor towing trailer 620 there behind.

Side 624 is the left or port side of trailer 620 and side 625 is theright or starboard side of trailer 620. Opposed port and starboard sideskis 640 and 641 are provided, which incorporate upstanding mounts 640Aand 641A respectively, which are mounted to sides 624 and 625,respectively, for pivotal movement of skis 640 and 641 between lowered,deployed, or operative positions depending downwardly from lower face627 of platform 621 in preparation for towing and raised, inoperative,or stored positions in juxtaposition with upper face 626 of platform 621for storage of trailer 620 during periods of nonuse. In their deployedpositions, skis 640 and 641 ride along the snow or icy surfacessupporting platform 621 at an elevated location for towing. Duringperiods of nonuse, support 631 may be pivoted in juxtaposition withupper face 626 for providing compact storage of trailer 620.

The present invention is described above with reference to preferredembodiments. However, those skilled in the art will recognize thatchanges and modifications may be made in the described embodimentswithout departing from the nature and scope of the present invention andthat elements and complemental elements ofengagement/attachment/coupling pairs can be reversed. Various changesand modifications to the embodiments herein chosen for purposes ofillustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To theextent that such modifications and variations do not depart from thespirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within thescope thereof.

1. Apparatus comprising: a wheeled housing including a compartmentformed therein and an opening formed therein leading to the compartment,the compartment defined by opposing sidewalls of the housing, a backwall of the housing, and a floor of the housing; a drawbar having aproximal end and an opposing distal end having attached thereto a hitchadapted to be hitched to a tow bat; a trailer chassis having an upstreamend adapted to be coupled to the proximal end of the drawbar, adownstream end, an upper face for receiving a load, and an opposinglower face; plurality of wheel supports attached to the trailer chassis;a ground engaging wheel rotatably mounted to each of the wheel supports;the trailer chassis movable between a stored position comprising thetrailer chassis in the compartment with the upper face of the trailerchassis facing the compartment opening and the lower face of the trailerchassis facing the floor, and a deployed position withdrawn from thecompartment through the opening thereof; and a lid mounted to thehousing for movement between an open position opening the opening to thecompartment and a closed position closing the opening to the compartmentenclosing therein the trailer chassis in its stored position. 2.Apparatus according to claim 1, each of the wheel supports comprising afixture mounted to the trailer chassis between an operative positionaway from the trailer chassis disposing the wheel attached thereto in aground engaging position, and a stored position in juxtaposition withthe trailer chassis disposing the wheel attached thereto in aninoperative position.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 2, furthercomprising a floor engaging roller mounted to the fixture engaging thefloor of the housing when the trailer chassis is placed in its storedposition and the fixture is disposed in its stored position providingwheeled mobility for the trailer chassis relative to the floor in thestored position of the trailer chassis.
 4. Apparatus according to claim3, further comprising a sidewall engaging roller mounted to the fixturefor engaging one of the sidewalls of the housing when the trailerchassis is placed in its stored position and the fixture is disposed inits stored position providing wheeled mobility for the trailer chassisrelative to the one of the sidewalls of the housing in the storedposition of the trailer chassis.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 2,further comprising a lock assembly for locking the fixture in itsoperative position and for locking the fixture in its stored position.6. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: the trailerchassis having opposing first and second sides; a first railing; asecond railing; first engagement apparatus including a first elementthereof carried by the trailer chassis adjacent the first side thereofand a first complemental element thereof carried by the first railing;and second engagement apparatus including a second element thereofcarried by the trailer chassis adjacent the second side thereof and asecond complemental element thereof carried by the second railing. 7.Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: tail lights attachedto the rear end of the trailer chassis; and an electrical pigtailconnector operatively coupled to the tail lights.
 8. Apparatus accordingto claim 1, further comprising: the housing having opposing sides;storage compartments formed in the opposing sides of the housing; thelid closing the storage compartments in its closed position and openingthe storage compartments in its open position.
 9. Apparatus according toclaim 1, further comprising: the lid having an inner surface; paddingaffixed to the inner surface of the lid; the padding compressed againstthe upper face of the trailer chassis in the closed position of the lidsubstantially immobilizing the trailer chassis in the compartment. 10.Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: the trailer chassishaving opposing sides; and a sidewall engaging roller mounted to each ofthe opposing sides of the trailer chassis for engaging the respectivesidewalls of the housing when the trailer chassis is placed in itsstored position for providing wheeled mobility of the trailer chassisrelative to the sidewalls of the housing.
 11. Apparatus according toclaim 1, the wheeled housing further including: opposing forward andrearward ends, and opposing sides; and a wheel mounted to each side ofthe wheeled housing at the forward end thereof.